5 time-saving cooking tips from the Test Kitchen

Cooking School

5 time-saving cooking tips from the Test Kitchen

1. Waste not
Don't throw out leftover buttermilk; instead, freeze it in one-cup portions and thaw it in the fridge as needed. Before adding it to batters, give it a vigorous whisk to homogenize the mixture.

2. Squeeze easy
Microwave lemons and limes for a couple of seconds to make them easier to juice.Image courtesy of Thinkstock

3. Safety first
The mandoline is a trusted tool for slicing vegetables and fruit in a flash. Our favourite tip for using it at home? Wear a fishing glove! Found in hardware stores, these cut-resistant gloves allow you to slice safely. — Jennifer BartoliPhotography by Jodi Pudge

4. Amp up the flavour
I like to make my own blend of homemade seasoning salt. I combine two parts table salt, one part granulated sugar and a generous pinch each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper. It's delicious sprinkled onto warm fries, roasted potatoes or anything that's seared in a hot skillet, and it's a unique way to flavour popcorn. — Irene FongPhotography by Jodi Pudge

5. Scoop it up!
Use a melon baller to easily scoop out the seeds of fall squash. It's sharper than a spoon and it won't slip against all of those slippery membranes. — Amanda BarnierPhotography by Jodi Pudge

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You could win a luxurious trip to Quebec City!

Contests

You could win a luxurious trip to Quebec City!

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Beauty

These lip balms will make you forget dry, chapped lips

Beauty

These lip balms will make you forget dry, chapped lips

Cold temperatures and harsh winds can take a toll on your lips—and there is nothing sexy about a chapped mouth. The good news? Our favourite lip balms can help eliminate dry, sore and chapped lips. These affordable picks range from $4 to $32.

How to avoid a bad haircut

Beauty

How to avoid a bad haircut

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Bad haircuts are a fact of life. We all usually experience one at some point or another (and have the photographs to prove it). It’s often the result of a moment of daring or something getting lost in translation between you and your hairstylist. However you ended up with your less-than-stellar ’do, we want to help make sure it never happens again.

Be honest with yourself According to Dove celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, the number one mistake people make when getting a haircut is being unrealistic about their styling commitment. If you’ve been air-drying your hair for the past 10 years, chances are you won’t start to flatiron it daily. Pick a style you know you can—and will—replicate at home.

You are not the expert You may have heard certain rules when it comes to cutting hair, but that doesn’t make you an authority. Many customers try to give their hairstylists instructions on the technique to use when cutting their hair. According to Redken’s lead stylist, Jorge Joao, this is a big no-no. Remember that your stylist is the expert and has his or her own way of doing things, regardless of what you’ve heard is “right.”

Use simple language So what should you tell your stylist? Describe the style you want in clear terms. “When asking for a cut, keep it simple and try to use words that won’t confuse your message,” says Joao. “Sometimes, using trendy words or slang can give you a result you’re not looking for.”

Use visuals “Hairstylists are, by nature, visual creatures,” says Townsend. So have images—be they from magazines, the Internet, your personal collection or anywhere else—that will help convey the style you want. A picture really is worth 1,000 words.

Pick a stylist you trust Once you find a stylist who you mesh with and who understands your hair, stick with that person. “When you’re looking for a change, you should go to someone you trust,” says Joao. It’s OK to debate with your hairstylist about possible styles, but if you really don’t trust his or her judgment, it’s probably time to look elsewhere.

What to do if you still end up with something you don’t like Make sure you give your new cut some time. Sleeping on it for a day or two, washing your hair and styling it yourself—even asking friends for their opinions—are all good to do before deciding you don’t like your new ’do. “Honesty is the best policy,” says Townsend, “but saying what you mean and being mean are two different things.”